Department for Transport

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Iron and Steel

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of steel used in phase two of the High Speed 2 rail line is planned to be British steel.

Andrew Stephenson: The Government’s guidance on the procurement of steel was published in November 2015 and subsequently updated in December 2016. All major government projects are required to take cognisance of the Crown Commercial Service Procurement Policy Note 11/16: “Procuring Steel in Major Projects - Revised Guidance” (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1116-procuring-steel-in-major-projects-revised-guidance ). Whilst HS2 Ltd does not directly buy steel, it does apply a strategic and transparent approach to the sourcing of steel for the HS2 Programme through its Tier 1 contractors and their supply chains. HS2 Ltd ensures a fair procurement process which complies with UK procurement law and the Government policy on the procurement of steel.

High Speed 2 Railway Line: Iron and Steel

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of steel used in phase one of the High Speed 2 project is British steel.

Andrew Stephenson: The Government’s guidance on the procurement of steel was published in November 2015 and subsequently updated in December 2016. All major government projects are required to take cognisance of the Crown Commercial Service Procurement Policy Note 11/16: “Procuring Steel in Major Projects - Revised Guidance” (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-1116-procuring-steel-in-major-projects-revised-guidance ). Whilst HS2 Ltd does not directly buy steel, it does apply a strategic and transparent approach to the sourcing of steel for the HS2 Programme through its Tier 1 contractors and their supply chains. HS2 Ltd ensures a fair procurement process which complies with UK procurement law and the Government policy on the procurement of steel.

Aviation: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of a flexible extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for businesses in the aviation sector.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department for Transport is in regular contact with HM Treasury regarding the challenges facing the aviation sector as a result of COVID-19. The sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the industry will be able to draw on the unprecedented package of economic measures we have put in place during this time.

Railways: Fares

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to (a) waive the RPI regulated rail fares increase for 2021, (b) guarantee that commercial fares will be frozen for 2021 under any new or extended Emergency Measures Agreements reached with train operating companies and (c) freeze all fares on the franchises which are currently publicly operated; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Any increase in rail fares will help fund crucial investment in our railways. Taxpayer support has been vital to keep trains running throughout the Coronavirus pandemic and it is only fair that passengers also contribute to maintaining and improving the services they use.We have already cut costs for thousands of young people with the 16-17 Saver Railcard, and will be rolling out a new Veteran’s Railcard to give over 830,000 former service personnel, who do not otherwise benefit from discounted rail travel, up to a third off their rail costs.

Crossrail Line: Finance

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the cost of the Crossrail project; and what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on allocating additional funding from the public purse to that project.

Rachel Maclean: In August 2020, Crossrail Limited announced that they will require an additional £450m in funding to finance the remaining costs of the project. This is in addition to the £400 to £650m funding they announced that they would require in November 2019. Crossrail Limited have stated that work is ongoing to finalise their cost estimates. Crossrail Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Transport for London, will require a revised funding package and discussions are ongoing to ensure it remains fair to UK taxpayers with London as the primary beneficiary bearing the costs.

Crossrail: Finance

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding has been loaned from the public purse to Crossrail Limited; and what the (a) timescales, (b) rates of interest and (c) other terms of repayment are on those loans.

Rachel Maclean: The Government has not made any direct loans to Crossrail Limited. In December 2018, the Government approved a £2.15bn funding package whereby the Department for Transport would provide a loan of £1.3bn to the Greater London Authority (GLA) and a loan of £750m to Transport for London (TfL) to finance the remaining costs of the project. The interest and loan repayment will occur annually over the next 10 years. The terms of the repayment are commercially sensitive.

Motor Vehicles: Noise

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to bring forward proposals on limiting the noise emitted from vehicles as a result of the noise camera trial launched in June 2019.

Rachel Maclean: The Government takes the impact of road noise on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously. Vehicles are required to meet strict noise limits before being placed on the market and should not be altered to increase their noise level. The Department’s initial trials of a prototype noise camera have now concluded and the results will be published shortly.

Tourism: Government Assistance

Scott Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with representatives from (a) the UK travel industry and (b) travel agents on bespoke packages of support for the sector during the covid-19 outbreak.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department for Transport is in regular contact with the travel industry regarding the challenges facing the sector as a result of COVID-19. The sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the industry are able to draw on the unprecedented package of economic measures we have put in place during this time. This includes a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, two business interruption loan guarantee schemes for different sizes of business, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees and VAT deferrals. The Department for Transport is in close contact with the travel sector ensuring that the Government is kept fully aware of the latest developments with all firms and to understand where additional policy measures and address specific industry issues.

Tourism: Coronavirus

Scott Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing financial assistance during autumn and winter 2020 for the travel sector and travel agents sector to support that sector through the covid-19 pandemic.

Andrew Stephenson: The Government recognises the challenging times facing the travel sector as a result of COVID-19. The sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the industry will be able to draw on the unprecedented package of economic measures we have put in place during this time. This includes a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme which facilitates access to finance for businesses affected by the outbreak. Firms are also able to access ‘Time to Pay’ scheme which eases restrictions with tax bills and VAT deferrals. The Department for Transport and other departments are in close contact with the travel sector ensuring that the Government is kept fully aware of the latest developments with all firms and to understand where additional policy measures should be considered to address specific industry issues.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish his strategy for the recovery of the aviation sector following the covid-19 outbreak.

Andrew Stephenson: The government have been developing a recovery plan for aviation, and are aiming for this to be published this autumn.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with (a) catering, (b) security, (c) hospitality and (d) ground handling companies in the aviation sector on the (i) challenges those businesses face as a result of the covid-19 outbreak and (ii) adequacy of Government support to maintain employment in their businesses.

Andrew Stephenson: We have worked closely with the sector alongside Treasury colleagues on the question of Government support. As we have always stated Government stands ready to support companies during this pandemic. Companies can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures, including: schemes to raise capital, flexibilities with tax bills, and financial support for employees. If firms find themselves in trouble because of coronavirus, and have exhausted the measures already available to them, the Government is prepared to enter discussions with individual companies seeking bespoke support as a last resort, having exhausted all other options.??Any intervention would need to represent value for money for taxpayers. It would be inappropriate to comment on discussions held with individual companies.

Airports: Coronavirus

Mr Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral statement of 7 Septemeber, Official Report, column 365, on International Travel, if he will make it his policy to implement a covid-19 testing regime, with airports being required to procure the necessary testing and laboratory capacity, in order to reduce quarantine length.

Andrew Stephenson: The Government is actively working on the practicalities of using testing to release people from self-isolation earlier than 14 days. Officials across the Government are working with health experts with the aim of cutting the self-isolation period without adding to infection risk or infringing on our overall NHS test capacity. The Secretary of State for Transport has committed to updating the House on testing of international arrivals in the coming weeks. Public Health England prepared a paper on the effectiveness of ‘double testing’ travellers coming to the UK. The paper is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phe-investigation-into-the-effectiveness-of-double-testing-travellers-incoming-to-the-uk-for-signs-of-covid-19-17-june-2020

Airports: Coronavirus

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing covid-19 testing for all arrivals at airports.

Andrew Stephenson: The Government is actively working on the practicalities of using testing to release people from self-isolation earlier than 14 days. Officials across the Government are working with health experts with the aim of cutting the self-isolation period without adding to infection risk or infringing on our overall NHS test capacity. The Secretary of State for Transport has committed to updating the House on testing of international arrivals in the coming weeks.

Driving Instruction: Coronavirus

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has held with the DVSA as to the ongoing safety of the continuation of three in a vehicle ADI standards checks during the covid-19 pandemic.

Rachel Maclean: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has consulted with Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive to ensure it can conduct approved driving instructor (ADI) standards checks safely with three people in the car, during the COVID-19 pandemic. PHE has said the DVSA’s standard operating procedures comply with general public health principles and existing guidance for the reduction of transmission risk. The DVSA has also cleared its standard operating procedures and risk assessments with the trade unions. The DVSA will continue to keep its guidance under review in line with Government guidance.

Department for Transport: Personnel Management

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in his Department's human resources section in April 2020.

Chris Heaton-Harris: In the Department of Transport there were a total of 342.74 FTE employed in the human resources functions at 30th April 2020 The breakdown between the central Department and the Executive Agencies is as follows: DfTc106.0DVLA81.9DVSA126.4MCA24.0VCA4.5Total342.7   Please note, the above figures relate to staff working in teams which are part of the organisations HR functions (at DVSA this includes Driver Examiner Trainers) but do not include any contingent labour.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the cost to the public purse has been of the advance purchase of covid-19 vaccines.

Amanda Solloway: Due to commercial sensitivity, details of the six supply agreements that have and are being negotiated cannot be provided.

Community Interest Companies

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish a quarterly searchable record of Community Interest Companies.

Paul Scully: The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies (CICs) publishes a monthly list of newly incorporated CICs. This is freely available and can be downloaded at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-interest-companies-new-cics-registered-in-last-month. As CICs are limited companies, all CICS are listed on the public register which is published and maintained by Companies House and is also freely available on the Companies House website at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house/about-our-services#find-info.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Government's bilateral deals with pharmaceutical companies for covid-19 vaccine candidates on (a) the quantity of vaccine candidates that the Covid-19 Global Vaccine Access Facility can procure for low and middle income countries and (b) the availability of covid-19 vaccine candidates for healthcare workers and vulnerable groups globally.

Amanda Solloway: The UK’s bilateral deals with pharmaceutical companies for Covid-19 vaccines include funding for research and development, investment in manufacturing and vaccine trials. This investment supports the global scale up of vaccine production and therefore the quantity of vaccines available for low and middle-income countries as well as for healthcare workers and vulnerable groups globally. The UK is a strong supporter of the multilateral Covid-19 Global Vaccine Access Facility (COVAX) initiative as a means to both get vaccines for the UK population and ensure equitable global access. The UK has contributed £48 million to COVAX already to help ensure vaccines are available in lower income countries.

Business: Non-domestic Rates

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 84266 on Local Government Finance: Coronavirus, by what date must local authorities return unspent funds through the coronavirus business support grants funds once final payments have been made on 30 September.

Paul Scully: Local authorities have now closed their Business Grant Funds and are in the process of making final payments to businesses. These must be complete by 30 September. The reconciliation process will then take place from October.

Post Office: ICT

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on what date HM Treasury was notified by UKGI that the Post Office was to use public money to contest the case Bates v the Post Office.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what conditions were attached to the decision of HM Treasury to allow UKGI to use public funds to be used to contest the case Bates v the Post Office.

Paul Scully: Post Office Ltd. (POL) handled the defence of the Group Litigation. All costs in doing so, including legal costs and the settlement in December 2019, were paid using funds from POL’s commercial revenue. BEIS sought and received assurance throughout the process that no public funding was used to contest the litigation.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Personnel Management

John Stevenson: To ask the Attorney General, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in his Department's human resources section in April 2020.

Michael Ellis: The following table shows the number of full-time equivalent HR staff at the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), the Government Legal Department (GLD) and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for April 2020: DepartmentFTEAGO*8GLD67.3HMCPSI*3.6CPS134.45SFO10  *These staff also perform other non-HR duties in their roles.

Department of Health and Social Care

Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup: Accident and Emergency Departments

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Urgent Care Centre at Queen Mary's Hospital will be reopening.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Death

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what meetings he has had with families who have lost family members or relatives as a result of covid-19.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Eating Disorders: Computer Software

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what safeguarding measures his Department has put in place to ensure that the NHS Better Health app is not used by people with eating disorders.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Phenelzine

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Department is taking to (a) monitor the recent shortages of Nardil (Phenelzine) and (b) ensure that patients who require the drug have access to it.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Asthma: Influenza

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the evidential basis was for the removal of certain categories of asthma sufferers from the list of people entitled to free flu vaccinations at their GP; and if he will make a statement.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Northern Ireland

Paul Girvan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that the people of Northern Ireland can access timely covid-19 testing.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Jim McMahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's press release of 21 August 2020 entitled, More targeted action in local areas to curb the spread of coronavirus, when he plans to update his Department's COVID-19 contain framework: a guide for local decision-makers to include the requirement to consult with local MPs on restrictions.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

DNANudge: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) financial, (b) scientific accuracy and (c) other due diligence checks were carried out before the award of Government contracts to DNA Nudge.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

DNANudge: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will set out the procurement process for the Government’s contract with DNA Nudge to deliver technology to rapidly detect covid-19.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

DNANudge: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he made of the (a) financial viability and (b) resilience of DNA Nudge prior to the award of a Government contract with a value of £161 million.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

DNANudge: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the availability of peer reviewed papers containing clinical trial data to demonstrate (a) the efficacy and (b) the scalability of the DNA Nudge covid-19 test.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Students

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of conducting covid-19 tests on incoming university students this winter, in areas with low current infection rates where testing has been de-prioritised.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Observer newspaper article of 6 September 2020 on the leaked Public Health England report on covid-19 lockdown restrictions, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of that report.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of using overseas testing capacity to meet (a) short, (b) medium and (c) long term demand; and how many covid-19 test have been sent overseas for processing in each month since March 20202.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Influenza: Vaccination

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people who are shielding will be able to receive a flu vaccination.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Health Services: Negligence

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his Department’s long term strategy is for tackling the increasing costs of clinical negligence cases.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Health Professions: Negligence

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2020 to Question 73784 on clinical negligence, whether the Government is developing a cross-departmental approach to agreeing how claims, complaints and litigation against doctors and healthcare professionals resulting from the covid-19 outbreak are managed.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Doctors: Negligence

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2020 to Question 73784 on clinical negligence, if his Department will work with healthcare, regulatory and legal experts to establish a new, independent, expert advisory committee to oversee claims, complaints and litigation including criminal prosecution against doctors as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Eating Disorders: Coronavirus

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 18 June to Question 58640 on Eating Disorders, what assessment has been made of the effect of the (a) covid-19 outbreak and (b) the lockdown restrictions on people with eating disorders.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Travel

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what representations he has received on the effectiveness of the application of the overseas quarantine regulations to healthcare professionals.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Patients: Transport

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward proposals to widen access to NHS patient transport in County Durham.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Local Government: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care from Strategic Coordinating Group Chairs from Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Thames Valley of the 28 August, if he will take steps to resolve the lack of Pillar 2 testing capacity within days rather than the six-week timescale suggested by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Local Government: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to provide daily updates to (a) the Sussex Resilience Forum and (b) other resilience forums on the capacity and prioritisation of Pillar 2 testing capability.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Quarantine

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people who quarantined after returning to England since July 2020 from each country previously classed as an exempted destination have subsequently (a) tested positive for covid-19, (b) been hospitalised as a result of covid-19 and (c) died from covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Tobacco: Research

Sir Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answers of 30 January 2020 to Question 8193 on Tobacco: Research and Question 8194 on Smoking, when the Government plans to announce the call for evidence to assess further the effectiveness of heated tobacco products in helping people to quit smoking and reducing associated health harms.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Plastic Surgery: Coronavirus

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government plans to introduce emergency legislation to curtail the use of mobile or home-based aesthetic practitioners through the period of the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Plastic Surgery: Hospitals

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS hospitals are collecting data on restorative services that they are required to provide when adverse effects of aesthetic treatments require medical intervention and correction.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many officials in his Department monitor the contracts for the covid-19 drive through testing centres to ensure all contractual obligations are met.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which Government Department holds the contracts for the management of covid-19 drive through testing centres.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will list the (a) location and (b) main contractor for each of the covid-19 drive through testing centres.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which companies hold contracts with the Government for the management of covid-19 drive through testing centres; and whether they employ any subcontractors.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department of Health and Social Care: Social Services

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to increase the number of Departmental staff working on social care in the next six months.

Helen Whately: In June 2020 the Department established a dedicated Social Care Group (SCG) to protect care recipients, carers/care workers and the care system itself from the impact of COVID-19 and ensure that everyone in receipt of care gets the care and support they need. The new SCG group has increased staff working on this area and, we will continue to keep staffing numbers under review.

Department for Education

Remote Education: Coronavirus

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government has taken to improve online access for disadvantaged pupils in the event of online teaching resuming during the covid-19 outbreak in the 2020-21 academic year.

Nick Gibb: The Department has already delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets to children who would not otherwise have access, as part of over £100 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care.The Department is now supplementing this support by making an initial 150,000 additional devices available in the event that face to face schooling becomes disrupted as a result of local COVID-19 restrictions. This scheme will enable schools to support disadvantaged children in Year 3 to Year 11 who do not have their own devices. Schools will also be able to order devices for disadvantaged children across all year groups who are shielding as a result of official advice, all year groups who attend hospital schools and those completing their Key Stage 4 at a further education college.As well as laptops and tablets, the Department has provided over 50,000 4G wireless routers to support disadvantaged children with internet connectivity. These routers come with free data for the autumn term and will allow local authorities and academy trusts to support children who may have their education and care disrupted because of official COVID-19 restrictions or disruption to face to face contact. In partnership with BT, the Department has also launched a service to provide children and young people free access to BT wifi hotspots.The Department is also working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families who rely on a mobile internet connection. We are piloting an approach where mobile network operators are providing temporary access to free additional data offering families more flexibility to access the resources that they need the most.

Further Education: Coronavirus

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) removing or (b) relaxing rules surrounding requirements of study in relation to students who have not yet received a Level 2 in English and/or maths in the 2020-21 academic year in order to prevent the breakage of covid-secure bubbles within further education colleges.

Gillian Keegan: Students who leave school with a good grasp of English and maths increase their chances of securing employment, apprenticeship or going on to further education. It is important now more than ever to give this opportunity to students who have yet to secure a Level 2 in these essential subjects and we will continue to do so.Young people from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds will be amongst those hardest hit by the unprecedented disruption to their education as a result of COVID-19. I recognise that colleges and their staff around the country have worked tremendously hard responding to this unprecedented challenge and working with us to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our students. Colleges and providers swiftly moved more learning online to allow students to continue with studies remotely.We are aware that the COVID-19 outbreak has caused disruption to people of all ages in education, in particular lost teaching time. Many further education providers opened over the summer for priority learners, subject to the required safety measures being met. We know that we have the professional knowledge and expertise in the education system to ensure that students recover and get back on track. From Autumn 2020, all learners will return to a full high-quality education programme delivered by their college or post-16 learning provider. To support providers, additional funding of up to £96m for the academic year 2020/21 has been made available to schools, colleges and other 16-19 providers to provide small group tuition for disadvantaged students whose learning has been disrupted.

English Language: Education

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that clinically vulnerable learners are able to continue to access English for Speakers of Other Languages provision during the 2020-21 academic year during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he is taking steps to increase funding for the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages as a result of the increased costs of introducing remote and hybrid learning for that subject.

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing funding per learner at entry level for the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Gillian Keegan: The government recognises that language skills are crucial to help people integrate into life in England, as well as to break down barriers to work and career progression. This is why we want to support all adults in England to secure the English language skills they need. We remain committed to the manifesto commitment to boost English language teaching to empower existing migrants and help promote integration into society.We understand the challenges faced by further education providers due to the implications of the COVID-19 disruption and the issues that remote learning has for some learners. We want to get all further education learners, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students, back into education settings as soon as the scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn, and because we know how important it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their peers and teachers. From Autumn 2020, all learners will return to a full high-quality education programme delivered by their college or post-16 learning provider. We have also introduced a change to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Adult Education Budget (AEB) Funding Rules for 2020-21 academic year, to enable providers to use their Learner Support funds to purchase IT devices for learners (aged 19+) and to help them meet learners’ IT connectivity costs, where these costs are a barrier to accessing or continuing in their training.We fund adults through the £1.34 billion AEB for a range of courses and qualifications, including ESOL, so adults can secure the English language skills they need. Following the devolution of approximately half of the AEB, seven Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs), and the Greater London Authority (GLA), are now responsible for determining adult English language (and other) provision in their areas. Eligible adults resident in non-devolved areas of England are funded through the ESFA AEB and can access fully-funded ESOL if they are unemployed, looking for work and in receipt of certain benefits, or if they are employed and in receipt of a low-wage. All other ESFA AEB-eligible learners are co-funded with the Government contributing 50% of the course cost. ESFA allocations for 2020-21 have been confirmed, and payments will be made in line with the national profile, which has been confirmed in the ESFA AEB Funding and Performance Management Rules for 2020-21. We are looking carefully at further education funding, including ESOL, in preparation for the forthcoming Spending Review. Further information on the AEB funding rules for 2020-21 is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/adult-education-budget-aeb-funding-rules-2020-to-2021.We do not ring-fence a particular amount of the ESFA AEB budget for ESOL, so colleges and training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their AEB allocation to meet the needs of their communities. They are responsible for planning, with local partners, which ESOL courses can be delivered locally. We want to support all adults in England to secure the English language skills they need. While we are keen to support the learners who are most in need, we also believe that those who decide to settle in the UK have a responsibility to invest their own time and resources into learning English.

Teachers: Training

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what training has been provided to teachers to help them adapt to remote teaching.

Nick Gibb: We expect schools to have a strong contingency plan for remote education in place in case of any localised disruption to face-to-face education. We have asked schools to look to align the quality of their existing provision against the expectations set out in the published guidance on curriculum and remote education provision. This guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#section-3-curriculum-behaviour-and-pastoral-support.The Department has provided a range of resources to support schools in delivering remote education. This includes examples of teaching practice during COVID-19, which provides an opportunity for schools to learn from each other’s approaches to remote education, as well as our work with sector-led initiatives such as Oak National Academy.Examples of teaching practise during COVID-19 are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/remote-education-practice-for-schools-during-coronavirus-covid-19.The Department has made £4.84 million available for Oak National Academy, both for the summer term of the academic year 2019-20 and for the 2020-21 academic year, to provide video lessons for Reception up to Year 11. This will include specialist content for pupils with SEND. Oak will remain a free optional resource for 2020-21.The Government is also funding expert technical support to help schools set up secure user accounts for Google and Microsoft’s education platforms. Schools can apply for  government-funded support through The Key for School Leaders to get set up on one of two free-to-use digital education platforms: G Suite for Education or Office 365 Education. The Key provides feature comparisons on the two platforms to enable schools to make an informed choice, as well as case studies on how schools are making the most of these platforms. Information is available here: https://schoolleaders.thekeysupport.com/The Department’s EdTech Demonstrator programme has also been helping schools and colleges access training and advice on remote teaching during the COVID-19 outbreak. Further information about the programme is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/edtech-demonstrator-schools-and-colleges-successful-applicants/about-the-programme.While schools and colleges were closed to most pupils, the support package provided by the Demonstrators included direct one-to-one advice and training, along with an offer of online tutorials, webinars and recorded content.The Demonstrator programme will continue to offer Continuing Professional Development to all state-funded schools and colleges in England until March 2021, and the Demonstrators will continue to bridge the gap between technology available to schools and colleges and successfully using that technology to deliver education. Support can be tailored to meet individual needs, while considering start point, confidence in technology practices and the time available to senior leaders. Transitioning back to the classroom, blended teaching approaches, creating a remote education contingency plan and implementing a digital strategy are just a few examples of how the Demonstrators can support schools and colleges.

Supply Teachers: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has published for (a) schools and (b) agencies on supply teachers claiming statutory sick pay if self-isolating during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb: As both my right hon. Friends, the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer?have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19.The Government has provided guidance on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for all employers, which includes specific information on when an employee is off work because of COVID-19. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/employers-sick-pay.Employers must pay an employee SSP if they are self-isolating and off work for at least 4 days and any of the following apply:They, or someone they live with, has coronavirus symptoms:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidanceThey’ve been notified by the NHS, or public health authorities, that they’ve been in contact with someone with coronavirus:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-worksSomeone in their ‘support bubble’ (or ‘extended household’ if they live in Scotland or Wales) has symptoms:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-people-from-outside-your-household-from-4-julyhttps://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-2-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/pages/meeting-others/https://gov.wales/guidance-extended-households-coronavirus.

Supply Teachers: Coronavirus

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the use of supply teachers in schools.

Nick Gibb: The information requested is not held centrally.The Department collects information on teacher numbers from the School Workforce Census but does not hold live information on the use of supply teachers. The Census data can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-workforce.As schools begin to reopen for all pupils from the beginning of the autumn term, we anticipate the demand for supply teachers to return to normal and supply teachers will continue to make a vital contribution in our schools.

Department for Education: Personnel Management

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in his Department's human resources section in April 2020.

Nick Gibb: The number of full-time equivalent staff employed within HR as of April 2020 was 117.7.

Teachers: Coronavirus

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the provision of fast-tracked testing for teachers with (a) symptoms of covid-19 and (b) who have come into contact with someone with covid-19 symptoms.

Nick Gibb: All members of school staff and pupils should get a test if they have symptoms of COVID-19. The capacity of the NHS Test and Trace system must be protected for those with symptoms of the virus, and so it is vital that only those with symptoms get tested.Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate in line with guidance, but should not get tested unless they themselves develop symptoms.

Children: Internet

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the number of households with school-age children that do not have access to the internet.

Nick Gibb: In the last academic year, the Department invested over £100 million to support remote education and delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to local authorities and academy trusts for children who would not otherwise have access.The Department allocated devices to local authorities and academy trusts based on its estimates of the number of eligible children that did not have access to a device or connectivity through other means, such as a privately or through school. Local authorities and academy trusts were responsible for distributing the devices, being best placed to know which children and young people need access to a device delivered through the programme.Where local authorities and academy trusts identified a need greater than their initial allocation, they could provide evidence and request more laptops, tablets and routers. No valid request for additional devices for eligible children was denied.The Department has published data that shows the number of devices and routers received by each local authority and academy trust that participated in the scheme. This information is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/Devices_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf.The Department is now supplementing this support by making an initial 150,000 additional devices available in the event that face-to-face schooling is disrupted as a result of local COVID-19 restrictions.

Schools: Coronavirus

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he has issued to schools in the event that a single child in a year group tests positive for covid-19.

Nick Gibb: The actions that schools should take in the event that a child tests positive for COVID-19 are outlined within the GOV.UK guidance for full opening and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#section-1-public-health-advice-to-minimise-coronavirus-covid-19-risks.This guidance states that schools must take swift action when they become aware that someone who has attended has tested positive for COVID-19, and contact their local health protection team. This team will also contact schools directly if they become aware that someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 attended the school.The health protection team will carry out a rapid risk assessment to confirm who has been in close contact with the person during the period that they were infectious. They will work with schools in this situation to guide them through the actions they need to take. Based on the advice from the health protection team, schools must send home those people who have been in close contact with the person who has tested positive, advising them to self-isolate for 14 days since they were last in close contact.

Schools: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional support will be offered to pupils in year 13 during the 2020-21 academic year.

Nick Gibb: Children and young people across the country have experienced unprecedented disruption to their education as a result of COVID-19. Those from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds will be amongst those hardest hit. We know that we have the professional knowledge and expertise in the education system to ensure that children and young people recover and get back on track.Additional funding of up to £96 million to support 16-19 year olds for the 2020-21 academic year is available through the National Tutoring Programme, enabling schools and colleges to provide small group tuition for disadvantaged students whose education has been disrupted as a result of COVID-19.

Assessments: Appeals

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his Department's policy is on appeals by students of their centre assessed grades; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Ofqual has published summary guidance, agreed with school and college leaders, which makes clear what the process was for putting together centre assessment grades and the grounds of appeal which are available. The guidance can be viewed here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/887018/Summer_2020_Awarding_GCSEs_A_levels_-_Info_for_Heads_of_Centre_22MAY2020.pdf.Any students who have evidence of bias or discrimination will be able to go through the normal complaints procedure at their school or college or complain to the exam board, which could investigate potential malpractice.

Ministry of Justice

Judicial Review: Northern Ireland and Scotland

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he had with representatives of the judiciary in Scotland and Northern Ireland ahead of the announcement of the launch of the independent panel to look at judicial review on 31 July 2020.

Chris Philp: Letters were sent to the Lord President of Scotland and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland on July 30th confirming the Panel’s details, prior to the announcement of the panel on July 31st.

Ministry of Justice: Personnel Management

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in his Department's human resources section in April 2020.

Chris Philp: As at 30th April 2020, 945.01 FTE were employed in the Human Resources departments of the Ministry of Justice, including HMCTS & HMPPS.

Probate: Operating Costs

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the running costs of the Probate Office were in March (a) 2018, (b) 2019 and (c) 2020.

Chris Philp: Answer to question part:a) The costs of the Probate jurisdiction for 2017-18 were £5.7m.b) The costs of the Probate jurisdiction for 2018-19 were £5.9m.c) The costs of the Probate jurisdiction for 2019-20 were £7.5m.

Probate: Applications

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average time taken was to process an application for probate in March (a) 2018, (b) 2019 and (c) 2020.

Chris Philp: Official statistics on the average length of time from receipt of the application to the issue of a grant of probate cover only the period from July to September 2019 onwards. HMCTS internal management information from a decommissioned case management system, which is not subject to the rigorous quality assurance processes of official statistics, has been used for the periods before that date to show the average times from receipt of an application to a grant being issued.The introduction of a new digital case management system in 2019 changed the business process for accounting for the receipt date of applications which need to be held due to errors or missing documentation. The figures for March 2020 are therefore not directly comparable to those from March 2018 and March 2019. Average time to grant issue for grants of representation, by grant type, England and Wales1,2 Probate  Application submission to grant issue  Mean weeksMedian weeksMarch 20183N/AMarch 20193N/AMarch 20207353   Source for March 2018 and 2019 is the now decommissioned Probateman system and March 2020 data is HMCTS Core Case Data  1) HMCTS Core Case Data (CCD) came into effect at the end of March 2019, following a transition between data systems recording information regarding The Probate Service2) The average timeliness figures are produced by calculating the time from application/document receipt (which may be from an earlier period) to the grant issued made in that period 3) Includes cases stopped and put on hold for errors or missing documentation

Probate: Staff

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in probate offices in March (a) 2018, (b) 2019 and (c) 2020.

Chris Philp: The information requested as to the number of full time equivalent staff employed in probate offices can be found in the table below. Probate FTE broken down per site between 2018-2020 1, 2ProbateDec.18Mar.19Mar.20Courts and Tribunal Service Centre (Birmingham) 01891Birmingham Registry1070Oxford Registry161616Manchester Registry161515London Registry131213Cardiff Registry181813Leeds Registry10114Liverpool Registry13138Newcastle Registry 202122Winchester Registry12129Brighton Registry141010Ipswich Registry 856Bristol Registry 335Registrars 333Total156164215 Source: CTSC and NBC workforce management resourcing data 1) NBC resourcing plans did not break down per registry prior to December 2018. Table is reflective of when the data was broken down with no material change to the total FTE from March 2018 (153 FTE) - December 2018 156 FTE).2) CTSC data only available from go live in 2019.

Unpaid Work: Coronavirus

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress has been made on restarting unpaid work programmes during the covid-19 outbreak; and what guidance his Department has published for people subject to unpaid work requirements in relation to the number of hours and timescales required.

Chris Philp: The Probation Services have a responsibility to ensure the health and wellbeing of service users during the pandemic. From 23 March 2020, all Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) have been operating an Exceptional Delivery Model (EDM) in accordance with Government advice and guidance on social distancing measures to help stem the rise of the COVID-19 infection rate. As a result, a number of services that rely on group work needed to be suspended, however, wherever possible remote delivery was provided either by Offender managers or supply chains within CRCs. The EDMs were clear that probation providers were to maintain contact with service users, and that wellbeing and services would be discussed with individuals.All providers are in the process of increasing operational delivery. We are working with CRCs to return to the service levels in place prior to the pandemic as soon as possible while ensuring safe working. HMPPS officials are closely tracking the volume of unpaid work (UPW) hours being delivered each week, with that amount increasing on a weekly basis.Service users have 12 months to complete their UPW requirement. As part of the induction process the number of hours and timescales for completion are clearly articulated to service users. As a result of reduced services during the pandemic a number of Service Users were unable to undertake their UPW hours. During this time both Offender managers and UPW supervisors carried out welfare calls to Service Users to ensure they were updated. Since the recommencement of UPW, CRCs have prioritised those nearing the end of their 12-month requirement to ensure the UPW hours are delivered.

Remand in Custody

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on the number of cells holding both convicted and unconvicted people in custody.

Lucy Frazer: Upon arrival into custody, all prisoners’ suitability to share a cell is risk assessed. These assessments are based on numerous factors including index offence, health concerns and security information (such as beliefs and prejudices). There are benefits to some prisoners sharing cells for the positive impact it has on mental health and stress levels, in addition to many prisoners preferring to share a cell.Unconvicted prisoners should be held in separate accommodation from convicted prisoners where Governors consider this can be reasonably done. Cell sharing is permitted between unconvicted and convicted prisoners if the unconvicted prisoner’s consent has been obtained.As at Friday 28th August, 2,866 cells/rooms (which were certified to hold two or more prisoners) were holding both unconvicted and convicted prisoners. The detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.

Prisoners' Release: Coronavirus

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress has been made on restarting resettlement day release during the covid-19 outbreak for people in prisons in England and Wales.

Lucy Frazer: Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) temporarily suspended release on temporary licence (ROTL), with some exceptions, as part of a range of measures to manage the impact of Covid-19 on prisons. Thanks to the success of these measures in helping to control infection rates, prisons are now easing restrictions in line with the National Framework for Prison Regimes, andHMPPS is working closely with public health authorities to support prisons to re-introduce ROTL where it is safe and practicable to do so. HMPPS is issuing prisons with Exceptional Delivery Models (EDMs) which guide governors in relaxing restrictions and resuming prison regimes. An EDM for workplace ROTL was issued in July and some workplace ROTL has already resumed. An EDM for other forms of ROTL, for example to maintain family ties, was issued in August. HMPPS is adopting a cautious approach to recovery which will be carefully monitored. The safety of prisoners and staff must be the priority but, where it can be resumed safely, ROTL will continue to contribute to positive resettlement outcomes and reduced reoffending.

Probation: Standards

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an estimate of the proportion of people under the care of probation who were not receiving one or more support services that they had previously received during August 2020 including (a) mental health, (b) substance misuse and (c) housing support services.

Lucy Frazer: Public protection remains the number one priority in the probation system and exceptional delivery models have been put in place to ensure public safety and support offenders. For offenders leaving custody who required accommodation support, Through the Gate services continued to be delivered during and after lockdown and remote one to one services for those on probation continued to be delivered, where practicably possible. This included services such as employment, training and education, accommodation services and wellbeing support, such as counselling.

Probation and Remand in Custody: Coronavirus

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the routine maintenance of custodial facilities and probation premises; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect of reduced maintenance of such facilities for (a) people in custody and on probation, (b) prison and probation staff and (c) operational capacity.

Lucy Frazer: Delivery of routine maintenance of custodial facilities and probation premises has been maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic. All of our prisons and most of our approved premises have remained open and operational. We will ensure that probation buildings are reopened in a safe, controlled manner, ensuring that COVID-secure guidelines are adhered to.

Prisons: Staff

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisons submitted applications to the HM Prison & Probation Service Operational Stability Panel for an Enhanced Payment Plus Bonus Scheme on the basis of staffing shortfalls during August 2020.

Lucy Frazer: Six prisons submitted applications to the HM Prison & Probation Service Operational Stability Panel for an Enhanced Payment Plus Bonus Scheme on the basis of staffing shortfalls during August 2020.

Treasury

Exports: VAT

Nickie Aiken: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what activities the HMRC Policy Lab has undertaken in its research on the digitalisation of the VAT Retail Export Scheme; and which companies and organisations they have (a) met and (b) observed as part of that research.

Jesse Norman: The HMRC Policy Lab carried out site visits, observed processes and conducted interviews and surveys in relation to the VAT Retail Export Scheme. This involved a wide variety of stakeholders including Border Force, retailers, VAT refund providers, refund agents, airport operators and shoppers. This research took place in parallel with a consultation on tax-free and duty-free goods. After reviewing the long-term approach to tax-free goods as part of that consultation, the Government announced today that the VAT Retail Export Scheme would be withdrawn from 1 January 2021 and would therefore not be digitised or extended to EU residents.

Duty Free Allowances

Nickie Aiken: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish the results of the consultation on duty-free and tax-free goods carried by passengers which closed on 20 May 2020.

Nickie Aiken: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of responses to Question 9 in the consultation on duty-free and tax-free goods carried by passengers supported extending the VAT Retail Export Scheme to visitors from EU member states.

Nickie Aiken: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the digitalisation of the VAT Retail Export Scheme, announced in 2016, will be completed.

Jesse Norman: The Government continued to explore the potential digitisation of the VAT Retail Export Scheme in parallel with the consultation on the approach to duty-free and tax-free goods in Great Britain. There were a range of views submitted and the Government has today published a summary of responses to the consultation. After reviewing the long-term approach to tax-free goods as part of that consultation, the Government announced today that the VAT Retail Export Scheme would be withdrawn from 1 January 2021 and would therefore not be digitised or extended to EU residents.

UK Government Investments

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether UKGI has delegated authority to take on (a) directly or (b) indirectly (i) assets, (ii) liabilities, (iii) contingent liabilities or (iv) other commitments or obligations in managing shareholdings or the delivery of the objectives, without the consent of his Department.

John Glen: UKGI’s delegated authority is limited to its operating budget of £13.7m, which is, to a material extent, expended on staff costs. At its most recent reporting date of 31 March 2020, UKGI had no assets or liabilities other than its normal operating debtors and creditors, and no contingent liabilities. UKGI has no delegated authority beyond this to take on (a) directly or (b) indirectly (i) assets, (ii) liabilities, (iii) contingent liabilities or (iv) other commitments or obligations in managing shareholdings or the delivery of the objectives, without the consent of HM Treasury.

UK Government Investments

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has been notified on each occasion by UKGI on matters with the Post Office which are considered to be novel, contentious and repercussive.

John Glen: HM Treasury should be notified on novel, contentious and repercussive spending. HM Treasury is not aware of any instance where it has not been notified by UKGI on relevant matters concerning the Post Office which UKGI considers to be novel, contentious, and repercussive.

UK Government Investments

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures are in place to prevent a member of UKGI sitting as a non-executive member on a Government-owned company while at the same time acting for a private company in the same sector.

John Glen: All employees of UKGI are prohibited from taking on any additional employment or appointments, directly or indirectly, without prior permission from UKGI, which should not be forthcoming where a conflict of interest arises or is perceived to arise. UKGI’s own non-executive directors also comply with this requirement.

Import Duties

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many UK firms applied for a duty deferment account in (a) July 2020 and (b) August 2020.

Jesse Norman: HMRC received 58 applications for duty deferment accounts in July and 88 in August.

Import Duties

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many UK firms have applied for a duty deferment account for VAT on imported goods.

Jesse Norman: Since 1 April 2020, 283 UK businesses have applied for a duty deferment account which allows them to defer payments of import VAT.

Tax Avoidance

Owen Thompson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to enable individuals who were unwittingly taken advantage of by loan charge promoters to enter into a settlement with HMRC over loan schemes without having to declare wrongdoing and state that they knew they had avoided tax.

Jesse Norman: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have provided several formal opportunities for taxpayers to settle their use of disguised remuneration (DR) schemes, both prior and subsequent to the announcement of the introduction of the loan charge. Whenever a settlement agreement is agreed with HMRC, there must be a legally binding contract. HMRC do not require individuals settling their DR use to admit to wrongdoing, or to declare that they knew they had avoided tax, when agreeing these contracts. Individuals who wish to use the 5 or 7 year payment instalment arrangements available under the current settlement terms do have to confirm that they are no longer engaged with tax avoidance (as required under the published terms), and this is acknowledged within the settlement contract. Agreeing to this term does not require the taxpayer to declare that they were knowingly engaged in tax avoidance in the past.

Events Industry: Coronavirus

Derek Twigg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a scheme similar to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme for concerts, festivals and other live events as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Kemi Badenoch: The Government recognises the extreme disruption the necessary actions to combat Covid-19 are having on sectors like events and the live performance industry. That is why the Chancellor has already announced unprecedented support for individuals and businesses, to protect against the current economic emergency. This includes a £1.57 billion support package for eligible cultural and heritage organisations (including the performing arts and live music venues) and a temporary reduction in VAT, designed to support businesses and jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry (including admission to shows, theatres, concerts, circuses and similar events). During this difficult time the Treasury is working intensively with employers, delivery partners, industry groups and other government departments to understand the long-term effects of social distancing across all key areas of the economy. We will continue to monitor the impact of government support on public services, businesses, individuals and sectors as we respond to this pandemic, and keep all policies under review.

VAT

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a VAT regime for goods similar to the EU Goods Status regime in order to limit the financial consequences for UK people losing status under that EU regime after the end of the transition period.

Jesse Norman: The Treasury keeps all taxes, including VAT, under review. Leaving the EU enables the UK to have its own bespoke VAT system. However, the UK starts off from a regulatory regime aligned to the EU and based on internationally agreed guidelines and principles which will continue to apply after the transition period.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Mick Whitley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme and Self-Employment Income Support scheme for industries that are (a) not able to safely return to work and (b) experiencing sustained economic disruption as a result of the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The Government has put in place a broad set of policies to support businesses and individuals during COVID-19, and the CJRS and SEISS are supporting millions of people. The CJRS remains open until the end of October while the second and final round of SEISS claims has just opened for applications. As the economy reopens, the Government must adjust its support to ensure people continue to get back to work, while protecting the UK economy and people’s livelihoods. In the second phase of the Government’s response, the targeted Plan for Jobs will support jobseekers, protecting jobs and creating jobs.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Drew Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reopening phases 1 and 2 of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme to provide access to that scheme for individuals who were unable to use it as a result of late filings by accountancy firms of self-employment tax returns for their clients.

Jesse Norman: Individuals who did not file their 2018/19 tax return are not eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Special provision was made for those who missed the deadline in January, and they were given until 23 April 2020 to submit a return to be included in the SEISS. The SEISS legislation (Direction) clearly states that, for the purposes of SEISS, amounts of trading profits and relevant income are determined by reference to a person’s tax returns as at 23 April 2020. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said there will be no further extensions or changes to the SEISS. However, those who missed the filing deadline may still be eligible for other elements of the unprecedented package of financial support provided by the Government. This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

Bus Services: Coronavirus

Sir Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of supporting commercial coach hire companies in (a) relation to their fuel costs and (b) extending the furlough scheme beyond October 2020 to assist with the payment of drivers' wages for those periods outside the morning and afternoon school runs; and if he will make a statement.

Kemi Badenoch: The Government has delivered on its promise to stand by businesses and workers throughout the pandemic and has provided one of the most comprehensive and generous packages of support globally. This support has included billions of pounds for businesses through loans and grants, support for millions of jobs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Coach companies, along with other businesses, continue to have access to a range of support measures including, but not limited to: • A Discretionary Grant Fund for Local Authorities in England•The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)• The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBL) for small and micro enterprises• VAT deferral for up to 12 months (for the period 20 March – 30 June 2020)• The Time To Pay scheme, through which businesses in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, can receive support with their tax affairs• Protection for commercial leaseholders against automatic forfeiture for non-payment until September 30, 2020.The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme opened to all employers on 20th April.

Beer: Excise Duties

Grahame Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Question 83759 answered on 7 September 2020, what impact assessments have been carried out on the financial implications to small breweries operating between 2,100 and 5,000 hectolitres, of the findings from the Government’s first stage review into Small Brewer's Relief.

Kemi Badenoch: The Government will consult on further elements of reform of Small Brewers Relief in the Autumn. Only after that consultation, once decisions are made about (for example) the shape of the new taper, can an impact assessment be undertaken.

Mortgages

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to ensure lenders do not demand an EWS1 form for mortgage provision of homes in buildings under 18 metres, unless there is a specific concern of enhanced fire risk from external wall composition.

John Glen: The EWS1 form was introduced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to assist in valuation of high-rise residential buildings for mortgage purposes. Government does not support a blanket approach in EWS1 requests for lower risk properties and is encouraging mortgage lenders to accept other equivalent evidence from building owners for valuation purposes.

Mortgages: Coronavirus

Sir Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the effect of using the three month mortgage holiday during the covid-19 outbreak on people's (a) credit ratings and (b) ability to access new mortgage finance deals and other financial services; and if he will make a statement.

John Glen: The FCA requires that there should be no worsening of arrears status on a consumer’s credit file as a result of taking out a payment holiday. This was reconfirmed in the FCA’s updated guidance published in June and continues to be the case for any borrower taking a payment holiday until 31 October 2020. However, it is important to remember that when borrowers apply for new credit, lenders will continue to carry out affordability assessments which uses a range of information beyond a credit file. This will include an analysis of income and expenditure, to assess future ability to make repayments, which may have been affected by COVID-19.

Leasehold

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help leaseholders (a) obtain mortgages or (b) re-mortgage their properties in situations where they are unable to obtain External Wall System (1) forms.

John Glen: The EWS1 form was introduced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to assist in valuation of high-rise residential buildings for mortgage purposes. Government does not support a blanket approach in EWS1 requests for lower risk properties and is encouraging mortgage lenders to accept other equivalent evidence from building owners for valuation purposes.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Leasehold

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress he is making in encouraging the insurance industry to take a more nuanced approach to situations where leaseholders are unable to obtain mortgages or re-mortgage their properties because they do not possess an External Wall System (1) form.

Christopher Pincher: The EWS1 form was introduced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to assist in valuation of high-rise residential buildings for mortgage purposes. Government does not support a blanket approach that some lenders have adopted through requesting a EWS1 for lower risk properties. There is other information which building owners can provide to lenders and we are working with the sector to raise awareness. We are also working with professional bodies to increase the number of skilled professionals who can undertake external wall assessments where one is required. Lenders have assured the Minister for Building Safety that leaseholders should face no barrier to renewing their mortgage with their existing lender.

Planning Permission

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the (a) public inquiry planning decisions he has yet to make where a planning inspector’s report has been submitted to his office and (b) the date on which each of those planning inspectors’ reports were submitted to his office.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2020 to Question 72897 on Planning Permission, what progress he has been made on those public inquiry planning decisions.

Christopher Pincher: Of the 12 cases listed in the Answer of 20 July 2020 to Question UIN 72897, six have since been determined, and one addendum report received. Those cases remaining to be determined are set out below:Case (local planning authority)Date Inspector’s Report submitted to MHCLGBroad Lane Essington & Holyhead Rd Wergs (South Staffs)13/5/19Land north of Barleycastle Lane, Appleton Thorn (Warrington)11/12/19, plus addendum report received 09/09/20Land Adjacent Dinnington Road, Woodsetts (Rotherham)6/1/20Ellesmere Port Wellsite, Portside One (Cheshire West and Chester)6/1/20South-west Sittingbourne/Wises Lane (Swale)13/2/20Anglia Square (Norwich)8/6/20 There are a variety of reasons why decisions may be delayed including policy complexities, and changes in local or national policy which require further correspondence with parties.

Research: Finance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether support for R&D will be made available through the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Luke Hall: The Government understands the importance of local growth funding to places and people and is committed to creating the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to succeed European structural funds, providing vital investment in local economies, cutting out bureaucracy and levelling up those parts of the UK whose economies are furthest behind The 2019 Conservative Manifesto committed to targeting the UK Shared Prosperity Fund at the UK’s specific needs, at a minimum matching the size of European structural funds in each nation. Final decisions on the design of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will need to be made through a cross-Government Spending Review, and we will set out further plans for the fund in due course.

Local Plans: Wolverhampton South West

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that Wolverhampton South West constituents are consulted on future local planning decisions.

Christopher Pincher: The planning reforms set out in the Planning for the Future White paper will make it simpler, quicker and more accessible for local people to engage with the planning system. The best way to bring forward new, significant development is by improving community engagement and input at an earlier stage in the planning process.  At the plan making stage, people will have the opportunity to comment on local plans and have their say on the location and standard of new development. This will give certainty to local communities that development will be in the areas best identified for growth. There will still be the opportunity for people to comment on planning applications where these are required.Constituents of South West Wolverhampton will be able to have their say on the emerging Black Country Plan, which covers all the Black Country Local Authorities and is currently being produced. A draft of the Plan will be ready next year and residents are strongly encouraged to have their say once it is available for comment.

Leasehold

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to carry out an impact assessment of the Building Safety Bill on leaseholders who currently live in properties which have been identified as having flammable cladding.

Christopher Pincher: An Economic Impact Assessment was published alongside the draft Building Safety Bill on 20th July 2020. An updated version of this assessment will be available when the Bill is introduced, setting out the cost and impact of all measures in the Bill, including those on leaseholders.The Government is clear that leaseholders should not face unaffordable costs to ensure their homes are safe, and the Government has provided funding to speed up the removal of unsafe cladding.

Property: Sales

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adopting a property buying process with legally binding missives in England.

Christopher Pincher: As we set out in the Government response to the Call for Evidence on improving the home buying and selling process published in April 2018, adopting a property buying process with legally binding missives would require a fundamental re-engineering of the way in which houses are bought and sold in England.We think that it may be possible to deliver many of the benefits of binding missives without the associated disruption through the adoption of a standardised reservation agreement. These agreements would see buyers and sellers commit to going ahead with the transaction and suffering a financial penalty if they withdrew without good reason, and these could be accommodated within the current process. Government is currently working with industry to evaluate the potential of these agreements.

House Insurance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the (a) dates and (b) subjects of the (i) discussions he has had with (ii) representations he has received from the Association of British Insurers in relation to building safety remediation and insurance premiums over the last 12 months and (iii) the outcomes of those discussions.

Christopher Pincher: The Building Safety Minister has held frequent meetings with the insurance industry since his appointment in March, at which representatives from the Association of British Insurers have been present. Meetings have been focussed on the pace of remediating high rise buildings, the affordability of buildings insurance for such buildings and solutions to those challenges.  Ministers have encouraged the insurance sector to propose options to improve PII availability for key fire safety work and we are working with the industry to develop potential solutions. We will continue to engage a wide range of stakeholders in consideration of these issues.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what (a) types and (b) heights of buildings an External Wall System review should be carried out.

Christopher Pincher: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have published guidance on the use of the EWS1 form: https://www.rics.org/uk/news-insight/latest-news/fire-safety/cladding-qa/ The guidance states that the EWS1 form is to be used to assess buildings 18 metres or more with combustible material; that it can used on buildings below 18 metres where there are specific concerns; and that in such cases a rationale to justify its request is required.

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence: Disclosure of Information

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to undertake an investigation into the number of leaks from his Department over the 2020 summer recess.

Mr Ben Wallace: The Ministry of Defence does not tolerate leaks and anyone found to have made unauthorised disclosures will face disciplinary or legal action. Leaks are investigated by the relevant departments when they occur.

Ministry of Defence: Declassified UK

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the letter of 4 September 2020 addressed to him from the International Press Institute, for what reason his Department’s press office has decided to refuse comment to the news outlet Declassified UK.

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the decision by the Council of Europe to issue a Level 2 media freedom alert after his Department refused comment to the media organisation Declassified UK, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his Department's communications policy with the Government Communication Service Propriety Guidance to deal with all news media even-handedly.

Jeremy Quin: The Department is looking into the specifics raised in the hon. Member's questions and we will write to him shortly.

Type 26 Frigates: Procurement

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which Minister signed off the media comment in the article published in Plymouth Live of 27 August 2020 describing reports of the possible reduction of the total order of Type 26 frigates as fake news.

Jeremy Quin: The official Ministry of Defence response to the reports was: "With every review it is always the case that people draw early and false conclusions from leaks. We advise against making assumptions based on partial information. "The guiding principle of the Integrated Review is to ask ourselves what the threat is, and whether we have the capability to meet it."

Aircraft Carriers: Deployment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that budgets for future years will enable Carrier Strike to be capable of routine deployments.

Jeremy Quin: As mentioned in the NAO report 'Carrier Strike - Preparing for Deployment' operating costs will be refined during the forthcoming inaugural operational deployment. This work will inform budget allocation for future routine deployments.

Aircraft Carriers: Spare Parts

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the Support Improvement Programme, to improve the maintenance and provision of spare parts for the UK’s two aircraft carriers.

Jeremy Quin: The Support Improvement Programme is making good progress. 100 per cent of the necessary spares were available from the first day of both ships' 2020 Fleet Time Support Periods.

Aircraft Carriers

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has had discussions with its US counterpart on the interoperability of support ships designed for the UK Carrier Strike Group.

Jeremy Quin: The Ministry of Defence has regular discussions with our Allies and Partners on interoperability. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary has a close relationship with their United States counterparts in Military Sealift Command. Discussions on support shipping interoperability, with the US for a UK Carrier Strike Group and future UK support to a US Carrier Group, are an ongoing subject of investigation and dialogue at the operational planning level.

Aircraft Carriers: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at what date his Department estimates that the UK will be capable of operating two aircraft carriers simultaneously with two squadrons of F-35s.

Jeremy Quin: It has been longstanding policy that by bringing two aircraft carriers into service we will ensure that there will always be at least one carrier available 100 per cent of the time, either at sea or in port at very high readiness to deploy. The CEPP programme remains on track to deliver the second operational squadron of F-35 by December 2023. This will provide two squadrons available to embark on one or both carriers as directed by operational tasking.

Defence Equipment: Balance of Trade

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will publish data on the UK’s balance of trade with defence equipment with (a) the Americas, (b) Europe, (c) the Near/Middle East, (d) Africa and (e) Asia.

Jeremy Quin: On a rolling 10-year basis, the UK remains the second largest global defence exporter and in 2018, the UK won defence orders worth £14 billion. The Department of International Trade, Defence & Security Exports publishes annually on GOV.UK, those defence and security export statistics that relate to sales to overseas ministries of defence and associated armed services. Over the same 10-year period, open source data published by the Department for International Trade on GOV.UK indicates that the UK was the 12th biggest defence importer but the Government does not collect official data on the import of defence equipment by global region.

Defence: Procurement

Robin Millar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what requirement there is for companies funded by his Department to pay financial penalties if they under-estimate the cost of projects awarded to them and fail a National Audit Office inspection.

Jeremy Quin: The National Audit Office (NAO) audits the Ministry of Defence (MOD) financial accounts and conducts investigations on MOD programmes and activities. It does not inspect or audit defence industry companies and, as such, companies do not fail NAO audit inspections. The MOD regularly scrutinises the performance of its suppliers, holding them to account for performance against the terms and conditions of their contracts. This includes monitoring costs and progress against delivery milestones and taking action as appropriate in the event of an over or underrun. As a general principle, the MOD would seek to resolve issues of under or overestimation of cost through the terms and conditions of the contract, rather than through financial penalties.

HMS Severn

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department undertook prior to recommissioning HMS Severn.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Government decided to recommission HMS Severn.

James Heappey: It was announced in November 2018 that HMS SEVERN would be retained by the Royal Navy (RN) along with two other Batch 1 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), HMS TYNE and HMS MERSEY. The vessels perform a range of duties within home waters in support of homeland security, fishing protection and training. These versatile vessels provide the RN with excellent capabilities in UK territorial waters allowing larger warships to be deployed more regularly abroad.

Aircraft Carriers: Fleet Solid Support Ships

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's definition of Carrier Enabled Power Projection, to be achieved by 2026, will include at least one new Fleet Solid Support ship being operational.

Jeremy Quin: The definition of Full Operating Capability of the core Carrier Enabled Power Projection programme does not include provision of a new Fleet Solid Support ship. However, the Ministry of Defence has been undertaking work to assess the way ahead for the Fleet Solid Support Programme and a Prior Information Notice was published on 22 July 2020 inviting potential suppliers to participate in a period of market engagement prior to the commencement of a new competition. The results of which will be analysed in due course.

Defence: Procurement

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has accelerated any defence programmes over financial year 2020-21, in order to ensure the resilience of defence companies and supply chains.

Jeremy Quin: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) ensured that throughout the pandemic orders have continued to be placed and suppliers paid as normal. In line with Government guidance, the MOD has to date paid £99.1 million in interim payments to ensure that critical defence outputs can continue uninterrupted. The MOD has engaged directly with more than 600 of its critical suppliers to enhance our understanding of supply chain resilience. In addition, as part of the Treasury fiscal stimulus programme to drive further economic activity in the building sector, the MOD announced in July 2020 that almost £200 million of funding would be allocated to improve Service Family Accommodation and Single Living Accommodation across the defence estate. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is accelerating delivery of this programme for completion in 2020/21. We will continue to actively monitor the defence sector to understand the longer-term impact of Covid-19 on industry.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many days each Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel spent at sea in the each of the last 10 years.

James Heappey: It has not been possible to collate the information in the time given. I will write to the hon. Member when it is available.

Military Aid

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the flying hours' cost was of the P-8 aircraft operating in the English Channel in the last two months.

James Heappey: All of the missions conducted by the P-8A Poseidon in support of the Border Force over the English Channel have been conducted as routine training missions that were already programmed to take place. The costs of these sorties are covered within Air Command's Annual Budget total and there were therefore no additional costs to Defence. Consequently, the costs of these sorties have not been separately captured.

Military Aid

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the flying hours' cost of the Atlas aircraft operating in the English Channel has been for the last two months.

James Heappey: The A400M has flown a single mission over the Channel in support of the Border Force on 10 August. The individual cost of this sortie has not been captured as a pre-programmed training sortie was utilised to complete this task, the costs of which are covered within Air Command's Annual Budget total and there were therefore no additional costs to Defence.

Military Decorations

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment has he made of the potential merits of introducing a National Defence Medal.

James Heappey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Broadlands and Norfolk (Jerome Mayhew) on 24 March 2020, to Question 30067. National Defence Medal. (docx, 32.2KB)

Department for Work and Pensions

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the extent to which the rise in retirement age for women has resulted in vulnerable 60 to 65 year-olds continuing to work during the covid-19 outbreak; what progress she has made in developing a fair transitional scheme to delayed retirement for women born in the 1950s; and what extra support will be given to the poorest women in that category.

Guy Opperman: Parliament set out in the Pensions Acts fair transitional arrangements when it introduced the changes to State Pension age, including measures in 2011, costing £1.1 billion, to ensure that no woman’s pension age changed by more than 18 months. It is not proposed to amend the Pensions Act of 1995, 2008 or 2011 or change the £1.1billion transitional provision. There are no plans for further transitional provisions. The government strengthened the financial safety net for those who need it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Support is available through the welfare system for people who are unable to work or are on a low income, including those that are nearing their State Pension age.

Universal Credit: Disqualification

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to support universal credit claimants who are shielding due to disability and long-term health conditions as benefit sanctions are reintroduced as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the reintroduction of benefit sanctions in July 2020 effect on universal credit claimants who are still shielding due to (a) disability or (b) long-term health conditions.

Mims Davies: A claimant’s work related requirements are agreed in discussion with their Work Coach and tailored to their individual capability, capacity and specific circumstances, ensuring they are realistic and achievable. Claimants will not be asked to do anything unreasonable in light of the impact of their health condition, and any work related requirements will be compatible with public health guidelines. Where a claimant has failed to meet their requirements, we will look at any evidence of good reason, including individual circumstances and health considerations, such as shielding, when considering if a sanction is warranted. An equality analysis has been undertaken by the Department for Work and Pensions on the reinstatement of conditionality across affected benefits, and provided to the Secretary of State so she can fulfil her Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) responsibilities. The reintroduction of conditionality and sanctions represents a return to business as usual and not a change in policy which requires direct consultation. The operation of these policies are reviewed on an ongoing basis through consultation with stakeholders.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Overseas Aid: Standards

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government remains committed to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee's definition of Official Development Assistance.

James Cleverly: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Ethiopia: Human Rights

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help reduce human rights violations against the Oromo people in Ethiopia.

James Duddridge: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Ethiopia: Violence

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help reduce violence committed against civilians and protesters in Ethiopia.

James Duddridge: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Ethiopia: Demonstrations

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Ethiopian counterpart on the recent protests in that country.

James Duddridge: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

EU Countries: Visas

Patricia Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress the Government has made on discussions to secure the expansion of visa-free travel between the UK and EU.

Wendy Morton: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Eastern Europe and South America: Human Rights

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many of his staff are dedicated to working on human rights issues in (a) eastern Europe (b) South America.

Wendy Morton: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Bangladesh: Rohingya

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has received representations on the resumption of the Government of Bangladesh pilot of the Myanmar curriculum in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps; and whether steps towards the resumption of that curriculum have been agreed.

Nigel Adams: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 77758, when he plans to begin engagement with (a) Parliament, (b) devolved Administrations, (c) civil society, and (d) UK allies and partners on the Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review; and what form that engagement will take.

James Cleverly: The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs has engaged with Parliament from the start of the Integrated Review process, including through updating the Foreign Affairs Committee during a session in March. He has submitted written evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee as part of the inquiry into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Integrated Review. Over the course of the Integrated Review, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will be engaging with international allies and partners, including through its diplomatic network, with Devolved Administrations, Civil Society and a wide range of external experts.This is part of wider HMG engagement with Parliament, Devolved Administrations, Civil Society as well as the UK's allies and partners regarding the Integrated Review.The Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence has informally briefed peers with an interest in the Integrated Review. The Deputy National Security Adviser with responsibility for the Integrated Review has informally briefed the Defence Committee and offered similar briefings to other relevant committees. Cabinet Office officials have held virtual discussions with the Devolved Administrations since the re-start of the Integrated Review. The Government will continue to engage in discussions with the Devolved Administrations over the course of the review.

China and USA: Nuclear Weapons

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on preventing a nuclear arms race from taking place between the US and China.

James Cleverly: The Foreign Secretary has regular discussions with his US counterpart on a range of issues, including strategic security.US strategic arms, along with those of Russia, are limited by the New START Treaty. We recognise the contribution New START has made to international security by increasing transparency and mutual confidence among the two largest Nuclear Weapons States. We support its continued implementation and have encouraged the US to extend New START while negotiating a successor agreement.However, New START does not include new Russian systems, nor does it place any limits on China's growing nuclear arsenal. We therefore urge China to engage seriously with the US calls for a new trilateral arms control agreement.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which unit in his Department was responsible for conducting the June 2020 reassessment of exports of riot control equipment to the US; how long that reassessment took to conduct; and what process was put in place to gather and analyse the evidence relevant to that reassessment.

James Cleverly: On 4 June, in line with standard practice, officials in the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) agreed that a reassessment should be undertaken in order to assess whether relevant licences remained consistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. ECJU-FCDO completed its reassessment on 12 July.Information on the situation in the USA was collated by ECJU from independent press coverage, social media reports, reports from Non-Governmental Organisations and from diplomatic missions across the USA. This information was analysed to determine whether events gave rise to a clear risk under the Consolidated Criteria that crowd control equipment exported to the USA might be used for internal repression.

Kenya: Counter-terrorism

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Secret Intelligence Service requires ministerial approval to share intelligence on the location of terror suspects with Kenyan intelligence agencies; and if he will make a statement.

James Cleverly: It is the longstanding policy of successive British Governments not to comment on the detail of intelligence operations.

Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review: Gender

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy includes advancing gender equality as a key priority for his Department.

James Cleverly: The UK remains fully committed to advancing gender equality and women's rights. The UK International Development (Gender Equality) Act makes consideration of gender equality in all UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) a legal requirement.The Integrated Review and the creation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are evidence of the Prime Minister's commitment to a unified British foreign policy that will maximise our influence around the world, including on gender equality and women's rights. When the Prime Minister launched the Integrated Review, he was clear that it will set out the way in which the UK will be a problem-solving and burden-sharing nation. Our aim continues to be for an ambitious and bold Integrated Review that is guided by the UK's foreign policy, national security and development objectives. Advancing gender equality and women's rights are a core part of the UK Government's mission, and our role as a force for good in the world, including fulfilling every girl's right to 12 years of quality education. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to this agenda.

Libya: Land Mines

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Libyan counterpart on the use of landmines in that country.

James Cleverly: The UK is deeply concerned at increasing numbers of reported casualties this year, resulting from landmines, booby traps, improvised explosive devices and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). The UK Government continues to raise this issue at senior levels, including in its intervention on Libya at the UN Security Council on 2 September, and in contacts with Libyan interlocutors. Through the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund, we fund the survey and clearance of areas contaminated by ERW. This includes training in explosive ordnance disposal and other technical mine action activities, and mine risk education, to raise awareness of the dangers of mines and ERW.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, (a) what was the total budget this year for DFID's Palestinian aid programme; and (b)  with reference to his 22 July announcement of cuts to the aid budget of £2.9bn, how much will be cut from the programme's proposed spend.

James Cleverly: Following an internal review and prioritisation exercise of all Overseas Development Aid spending, we have not planned cuts to proposed total spend in the OPTs for financial year 2020/2021. This is £71.4m as per the DFID annual report published in July 2020.

Yemen: Overseas Aid

Anna McMorrin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the total budget was this year for DFID's Yemen aid programme; and with reference to his 22 July announcement of cuts to the aid budget of £2.9bn, how much will be cut from the programme's proposed spend.

James Cleverly: The UK committed £160 million in new aid for Yemen for the current financial year (2020/21) at the 2020 Yemen Humanitarian Pledging Conference on 2 June.We have every intention of meeting our commitment and have already disbursed 60 per cent of our £160 million funding for this year. We will continue to disburse funding quickly to ensure our partners have the resources to continue delivering assistance.

Home Office

Hampshire Constabulary: Recruitment

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of the 156 new police officers recruited to Hampshire Constabulary will be frontline police officers.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the job titles of each of the 156 new police officers recruited to Hampshire Constabulary will be.

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the job titles of each of the 18 new police officers recruited to Hampshire Constabulary serving in Portsmouth will be.

Kit Malthouse: The Government is increasing the number of police officers by 20,000 over the next three years.Hampshire Constabulary has been allocated 156 for year one and has recruited 31 officers towards this figure.It is up to operationally independent Chief Constables to decide how the additional officers are deployed, including roles and job titles.

Visas: Travel Restrictions

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will permit the extension of visas where the person with the expiring visa cannot get a flight to their home country.

Kevin Foster: As is already stated in the published guidance on exceptional assurance for visa applicants in the UK and abroad: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents, if you intend to leave the UK but have not been able to do so and you have a visa or leave which expires between 1 September and 31 October 2020 you may request additional time to stay, also known as ‘exceptional assurance’, by contacting the coronavirus immigration team (CIT). https://hsforms.smartcdn.co.uk/webform.html

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office: Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when staff of his Department will be required to return to the office as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Julia Lopez: The Cabinet Office has ensured appropriate measures are in place to establish Covid secure workplaces in which as many staff as possible can work safely.

Children

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many children of (a) primary and (b) secondary school age there are in England.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.Letter from the UKSA (pdf, 63.6KB)

Influenza and Pneumonia: Death

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have died from (a) influenza, (b) pneumonia and (c) a combination of influenza and pneumonia in each of the last 12 months, by (i) region and (ii) constituency.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.Letter from the UKSA (pdf, 136.1KB)

Church Commissioners

Cathedrals: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what support is being made available to cathedrals to tackle the financial challenges they are facing as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Andrew Selous: The Church Commissioners have indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for International Trade

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 7 October 2015 air-strike on a wedding in Sanaban was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 23 September 2015 air-strike on a ceramics factory in Matna was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 24 July 2015 air-strikes on residential compounds in Mokha was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 30 March 2015 air-strike on a displaced persons camp in Mazraq was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 26 March 2015 air-strikes on a neighbourhood in Sanaa was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 22 September 2016 air-strike on a water pump factory in Sanaa was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 13 September 2016 air-strike on a water pump factory in Sanaa was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 17 August 2015 air-strikes on a port in Hodeidah were (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 4 June 2015 air-strikes on houses in Saada were (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 3 June 2015 air-strikes on houses in Sabr was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 12 July 2015 air-strike on a residential area in Sanhan was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 12 July 2015 air-strike on a residential area in Shu'oub was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 22 September 2015 air-strike on a residential area in Al-Sab'ein was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 27 September 2015 air-strike on a residential area in Midi was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: The International Humanitarian Law Analysis was applied to 310 incidents. As at 30th April 2020, there were 528 allegations entered on the MOD Tracker, of which 19 were assessed to be duplicates. A further 166 were assessed to be “not credible”, which means the information and intelligence available indicates that the alleged events were not likely to have happened or were not likely to have involved fixed-wing aircraft operated by the Saudi-led Coalition. In addition, 33 allegations were awaiting assessment. Our analysis as to whether or not an incident constituted a ‘possible’ breach of international humanitarian law used all available sources of information, including some that are necessarily confidential and sensitive. As a result, we are not able to provide details of individual assessments for national security reasons. We have assessed that there were a small number of incidents that were ‘possible’ violations, which have been treated for the purposes of this analysis as violations of international humanitarian law.

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 21 August 2018 air-strike on fishing boats in Eritrean Waters was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 20 April 2018 air-strike on a vehicle in Mawza was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 11 March 2019 air-strike on a village in Kushar was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 20 November 2019 air-strike on a market in Souq Al-Raqou was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 27 November 2019 air-strike on a market in Souq Al-Raqou was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 24 December 2019 air-strike on a market in Souq Al-Raqou was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 4 August 2017 air-strike on a house in Saada was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 3 July 2017 air-strike on a house in Nobat 'Amer was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 18 July 2017 air-strike on a grocery shop in al-Hamli was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 9 June 2017 air-strike on a neighbourhood in al-Qoubari was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 25 August 2017 air-strike on apartment buildings in Faj Attan was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the ‘small number’ of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 10 September 2016 air-strike on a water well in Arhab was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 21 September 2016 air-strike on a neighbourhood in Souq al-Hinood was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 22 January 2016 air-strike on a house and clothes storage facility in Bait Baws was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 28 January 2016 air-strike on a house in Faj Attan was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 9 February 2016 air-strike on a house in Bait Maiyad was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 25 February 2016 air-strike on houses in al-Lail was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 27 February 2016 air-strike on a market in Khulqa was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 12 May 2015 air-strike on a market in Zabid was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law, and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 13 September 2015 air-strike in the Sanaa Old City was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 2 December 2015 air-strike on a Médecins Sans Frontières medical facility in Al Khashabeh was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a ‘possible’ violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 18 September 2015 air-strike on a house and workshop on Marib Street, Sanaa was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 18 September 2015 air-strike on houses in the Sanaa Old City was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2020 to Question 78567 and grouped questions, whether the 23 September 2015 air-strike on houses in Al-Asbahi was (a) among the 300 incidents analysed by her Department to consider whether or not it constituted a possible breach of international humanitarian law and (b) one of the small number of incidents assessed to be a possible violation of international humanitarian law.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: The International Humanitarian Law Analysis was applied to 310 incidents. As at 30th April 2020, there were 528 allegations entered on the MOD Tracker, of which 19 were assessed to be duplicates. A further 166 were assessed to be “not credible”, which means the information and intelligence available indicates that the alleged events were not likely to have happened or were not likely to have involved fixed-wing aircraft operated by the Saudi-led Coalition. In addition, 33 allegations were awaiting assessment. Our analysis as to whether or not an incident constituted a ‘possible’ breach of international humanitarian law used all available sources of information, including some that are necessarily confidential and sensitive. As a result, we are not able to provide details of individual assessments for national security reasons. We have assessed that there were a small number of incidents that were ‘possible’ violations, which have been treated for the purposes of this analysis as violations of international humanitarian law.

Board of Trade: Meetings

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, (a) on what date and (b) where the next meeting of the Board of Trade is planned to take place.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: The date and location of the Board’s next meeting is still to be decided.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Redundancy: Coronavirus

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate the Government has made of the number of job losses in digital, culture, media and sport sectors since April 2020.

Mr John Whittingdale: The latest ONS Business Impacts of Coronavirus Survey data, recorded from 27th July to 9th August, suggests that 1.9% of Accommodation and Food Services Activities workers have been made redundant as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, along with 1.0% of Arts, Entertainment and Recreation workers. Across the UK economy as a whole, the figure stands at 1.1%.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many workers in the digital, culture, media and sport sectors have been recipients of support from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Mr John Whittingdale: It is estimated that the number of workers furloughed across DCMS sectors (including tourism) peaked at 1.5 million on 31st May 2020. This represented 37% of the total DCMS workforce. The estimated number of furloughed workers in these sectors has since declined to 812,000, or 20% of the workforce, as of 9th August.

Social Security Benefits

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 August 2020 to Question 75281 on Social Security Benefits, how many algorithms are involved in the development of the Covid Credit software referred to in that Answer; and what assessments have been made of algorithmic bias in the application of that software.

Mr John Whittingdale: The Government’s Data Ethics Framework and ‘Guide to Using AI in the Public Sector’ alongside other guidance available on GOV.UK, supports ethical and safe use of algorithms in the public sector. Building on the existing work on algorithmic and data ethics, the Government is now working to deliver more transparency on the use of algorithmic-assisted decision making within the public sector; and is working with leading organisations in the field of data and AI ethics on a proposed approach to algorithmic transparency.However, Covid Credit is third party, proof-of-concept software. The government has not commissioned the software nor engaged with the developers, and is therefore unable to comment on its functionality.

Internet: Bullying and Harassment

Holly Mumby-Croft: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to strengthen legislation against (a) cyberbullying and (b) online abuse.

Caroline Dinenage: The government is committed to making the UK the safest place in the world to go online. In April 2019, the government published the Online Harms White Paper, which set out plans to introduce world-leading legislation to make companies more responsible for their users’ safety online. We will establish in law a new duty of care on companies towards their users which will be overseen by an independent regulator.We published the initial government response in February, which set out the direction of travel, and will publish the full government response to the Online Harms White Paper later this year. We will follow the full government response with legislation, which will be ready early next year.

Culture: Coronavirus

Jonathan Gullis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports, what fiscal steps he is taking to support cultural and creative industries affected by the covid-19 outbreak in (a) Stoke-on-Trent and (b) Staffordshire.

Caroline Dinenage: The Culture Recovery Fund will provide £1.57 billion of targeted support to critical cultural, arts and heritage organisations to help them survive and recover through the coronavirus pandemic. Funding will be prioritised to institutions of national and international significance and those that are crucial to levelling up places and communities, including smaller organisations and cultural venues that are at the centre of their communities.Key organisations in England have been able to apply for grants or loans. The relevant DCMS Arms Length Bodies (Arts Council England, Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute) will make funding decisions for grants against the published criteria agreed by Ministers. In addition, the independent Culture Recovery Board will make decisions regarding applications for loans, and provide additional assurance over the largest grants.Our priority is to ensure that organisations get the funding they need as swiftly as possible and we expect some funding decisions to be made this month with announcements soon after that.The Underground live music venue in Stoke on Trent has already benefited from the £3.36 million Emergency Grassroot Music Venues Fund which has been shared among 135 venues across England who applied for support to survive the imminent risk of collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Performing Arts: Coronavirus

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what financial support is available to help stand-up comedy venues during the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government appreciates that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many of DCMS’ sectors, including the stand-up comedy sector, which is why we announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency.On Sunday 5 July 2020, the Secretary of State announced a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. Live comedy is a much loved part of the British cultural landscape. Comedy venues and organisations will be eligible to apply for support through the package.The Live Comedy Association attends the regular ministerially-chaired roundtables that ensure we are assisting all our Creative Industries sectors as effectively as possible. In addition, officials are in regular contact with the Live Comedy Association, ensuring that the needs of the comedy industry are fully understood.We will continue to work with the stand-up comedy sector to understand the difficulties the industry faces and help it access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

PLASA: Coronavirus

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will arrange an early meeting with the Professional Lighting and Sound Association to discuss the effect upon their members of the continuing covid-19 lockdown restrictions on the live events sector.

Caroline Dinenage: We recognise the crucial role that lighting and sound technicians play in the UK’s live music and events sector.DCMS continues to engage with a range of trade representatives and Government departments to support creative businesses, and ensuring that the needs of its sectors, and those who work in them, are fully understood.We are committed to continuing to work with the live music and events sectors to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Culture Recovery Fund

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to publish further information on the allocation of the remaining £258 million in funding from the Cultural Renewal Fund.

Caroline Dinenage: The Culture Recovery Fund will provide targeted support to critical cultural, arts and heritage organisations to help them survive and recover through the coronavirus pandemic. In the first round of funding, £622 million will be distributed, the remaining £258 million has been reserved for funding later in the financial year. The distribution of this £258 million will be dependent on the outcome of the first round of funding so that it can best meet the developing needs of organisations.

Arts: Coronavirus

Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will ensure that the distribution of the covid-19 arts rescue package includes funding for (a) the Royal Northern Sinfonia and (b) other institutions in the North of England.

Caroline Dinenage: The Culture Recovery Fund will provide targeted support to critical cultural, arts and heritage organisations to help them survive and recover through the coronavirus pandemic. Funding will be prioritised to institutions of national and international significance and those that are crucial to levelling up places and communities, including smaller organisations and cultural venues that are at the centre of their communities.Key organisations in England are able to apply for grants or loans. The relevant DCMS Arms Length Bodies (Arts Council England, Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute) will make funding decisions for grants against the published criteria agreed by Ministers. In addition, the independent Culture Recovery Board will make decisions regarding applications for loans, and provide additional assurance over the largest grants.

Culture Recovery Fund

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on what date he plans to announce the names of organisations receiving support from the Cultural Recovery Fund.

Caroline Dinenage: Our priority is to ensure that organisations get the funding they need as swiftly as possible. Our Arms Length Bodies made emergency funding available in the spring and this package builds on that. We expect funding to start flowing to organisations in September with further details to be announced after that.

Ice Skating: Coronavirus

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reopening ice skating rinks for training purposes as covid-19 lockdowns are eased.

Nigel Huddleston: Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.The Government has made it clear that it will adopt a phased approach based on scientific and medical advice, and that the primary goal is to protect public health.Ice-skating rinks were able to reopen from 15 August. These facilities are able to offer on-site services to customers, provided they are COVID-secure and follow Government guidance. Elite athletes have been able to access specialist sports facilities for training purposes since mid-April.

Performing Arts: Intellectual Property

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish a response to Early Day Motion 718 on Audio-visual performers' rights.

Mr John Whittingdale: Actors and other audiovisual performers enrich our lives and our culture and make an important contribution to our economy. The United Kingdom’s high standards of intellectual property protection include protections for audiovisual performers which reflect this contribution and allow them to be rewarded for it. These include economic rights in audiovisual performances which are consistent with those set out in the Beijing Treaty.The United Kingdom is a signatory to the Beijing Treaty. However, while it was a Member State of the European Union, it was unable to proceed towards ratification by itself. Now that the UK has left the European Union, we are able to consider ratification as part of our future domestic and international policy agendas.However, the Treaty contains certain optional provisions, which may be implemented in different ways. Before taking steps to ratify the treaty, these and other elements would need to be fully considered and their impacts assessed. This would include consultations with interested parties to best ensure that the most appropriate decisions are made for the United Kingdom’s creative industries and audiovisual performers in particular.

Voluntary Organisations: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the financial challenges faced by the voluntary and community sector as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr John Whittingdale: DCMS is continuing to work closely with the civil society sector to assess the needs of the sector and how the government can best support it to continue its vital work. The Government has committed an unprecedented £750m targeted funding package to support the Voluntary and Community Sector, which builds on the significant package of support available across sectors, including the Job Retention Scheme. A further £150 million from dormant bank and building society accounts has been unlocked to support urgent work tackling youth unemployment, providing emergency loans for civil society organisations and improving the availability of fair, affordable credit to people in vulnerable circumstances.The ‘Community Match Challenge’ which is matching funds raised by philanthropists, foundations and grant making organisations will further support small to medium sized organisations from across the country working with those who are most vulnerable and have been hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak. This Fund closed for bids on 2nd August and the outcome will be announced shortly.Ensuring charities can begin fundraising activities will be a crucial part of the sector’s recovery. On the 24th June, DCMS published a collection of guidance for DCMS sectors relating to COVID-19. This includes practical guidance and resources from the Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute of Fundraising supporting charities to safeguard the public, staff and volunteers as they plan to return to fundraising activities in a safe and responsible way. This can be viewed at;https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/guidance-for-dcms-sectors-in-relation-to-coronavirus-covid-19

Charity Commission

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he last conducted a review of the effectiveness of the Charity Commission.

Mr John Whittingdale: DCMS has regular discussions with the Charity Commission around the regulatory framework for charities in England and Wales.The Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016 gave the Charity Commission extra regulatory powers including strengthening the protection of charities against abuse. DCMS carried out a Post-Implementation Review of the Act which was published on 16th March 2020. Based on the evidence within the Post-Implementation Review, DCMS concluded that the Charity Commission had used these new powers effectively. The National Audit Office published a progress update on the Commission in November 2017, recognising that it "has improved significantly" since its 2013 report.Increased use of the Commission’s powers also shows progress: In 2019/20 the Commission concluded 6,246 regulatory action cases, of which 181 were statutory inquiries, and opened 67 new inquiries. It used its regulatory powers almost 2,000 times. This is compared with 15 statutory inquiries and 200 uses of legal powers in 2012-13.

Voluntary Organisations: Redundancy

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that all redundancies made in the community and voluntary sector are being recorded.

Mr John Whittingdale: Any employer, including an employer within the community and voluntary sector, that is proposing to make 20 or more redundancies must notify the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Failure to do so is an offence. As charities are independent organisations, it is for them and their trustees to ensure that any proposed redundancies at this scale are reported in a timely manner.DCMS has had and continues to have regular engagement with the community and voluntary sector. However, DCMS does not record redundancy data.

Broadcasting: Disinformation

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has taken to tackle inaccurate and misleading claims on health matters appearing on broadcast media.

Mr John Whittingdale: Broadcasting regulation is a matter for Ofcom, as the UK’s independent regulator of television and radio. Ofcom sets and enforces stringent standards for licensed broadcasters to meet in its Broadcasting Code. Broadcasters must provide adequate protection to UK audiences from harmful content, including any potential harm that might arise from misleading or inaccurate health advice.In July 2020, Ofcom advised broadcasters to be alert to the potential for significant harm to audiences related to the coronavirus, including the accuracy or material misleadingness in programmes in relation to the coronavirus or public policy regarding it.With regard to broadcast advertising, the Advertising Standards Authority enforces the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP Code), through a system of co-regulation with Ofcom. The BCAP Code incorporates all relevant legislation, and sets standards for accuracy and honesty to which advertisers must adhere, including specific conditions intended to ensure that health claims in advertising receive the necessary high level of scrutiny and can be substantiated.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Personnel Management

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in his Department's human resources section in April 2020.

Mr John Whittingdale: On 30th April 2020 there were 55.6 FTE payroll Civil Servants in the People and Workplace directorate in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.This FTE total includes all Civil Servants reporting to the department’s People and Workplace Director, and includes the following teams:People and Workplace DeliveryPeople Strategy and DevelopmentEstates and Security

Sports: Coronavirus

Mr Jonathan Lord: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to help the return of fans at live sports events during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Huddleston: The Government is keen to see the safe return of spectators to live sports events. A programme of pilot events is being carried out to allow venues and operators to test their covid-secure arrangements in line with the Government's guidance on the return of fans to elite sports events. The latest list of events was announced on 26 August 2020 and includes football, horse racing and rugby union.The events have been selected to test a range of different event styles across the country’s major men’s and women’s spectator sports. A number of successful pilots have already been completed, including snooker at the Crucible, cricket at Edgbaston and the Oval, and football at Brighton & Hove Albion.Subject to public health conditions, the pilots will build up throughout September with a view to a full reopening for fans under covid-secure conditions from 1 October.

Events Industry: Coronavirus

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a tailored funding support package for the events sector during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Huddleston: DCMS appreciates the important role that the events sector plays in the UK’s economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in this sector.The Secretary of State announced an unprecedented £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors which will benefit events professionals by helping music venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.As part of this support package, the Emergency Grassroot Music Venues Fund is being shared among 135 venues across England who applied for support to survive the imminent risk of collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In response to the demand for help from some of the hardest hit in the sector, and to ensure the support would be felt far and wide, an additional £1.1 million was also brought forward, increasing the fund from £2.25 million to £3.36 million to help as many venues as quickly as possible.From 15th August and as part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, venues and organisations have been able to put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distanced audiences.We are committed to continuing to work with the events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Resignations

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many officials have left his Department to work for (a) Google, (b) Amazon and (c) Facebook since 1 April 2019.

Mr John Whittingdale: Our records show that since 1 April 2019 the number of officials who have left the Department to work for these organisations is as follows:(a) Google: 0(b) Amazon: 1(c) Facebook: 2

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Organic Food: EU Law

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions the Government has had with the EU on the preservation of Soil Association certification for organic products after the transition period; and if he will make a statement.

Victoria Prentis: The Government proposed an organics equivalence agreement in its Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) proposals. Organics is currently included in the UK’s proposed CFTA legal text as a technical annex and the negotiations are ongoing. In addition, the six UK control bodies, including Soil Association Certification, have applied to the EU for recognition as equivalent for the purpose of trade. We understand that these applications by the individual organic control bodies are progressing.

Vacant Land

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the total area of undeveloped land in the UK available for agricultural, forestry, moorland or other countryside use.

Rebecca Pow: This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The total area in England of non-developed land (agricultural, forest and open land only), which may be available for conversion to agricultural, forestry, moorland or other countryside uses, is 10,910,678 hectares (based on 2018 MHCLG Land Use data, the latest available). A proportion of this land will already comprise species rich or protected habitats or high grades of agricultural land so may not be suitable for conversion to other uses.

Fisheries: Marine Protected Areas

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will limit the size of trawlers allowed to operate in marine protected areas.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect Marine Protection Areas from supertrawlers operating in those zones.

Rebecca Pow: Marine protection is a devolved matter and the information provided relates to England only. The impact a fishing vessel has on a Marine Protected Area is determined by how damaging the fishing method is, rather than the size of the vessel. 'Supertrawlers' generally target pelagic species of fish within the water column and are unlikely to damage the seabed habitats, such as reef and sediment habitats, for which most Marine Protected Areas are designated. A new power proposed in the Fisheries Bill will allow the Marine Management Organisation to protect offshore Marine Protected Areas from damaging fishing activity. We are prioritising those Marine Protected Areas most at risk and aim to make rapid progress as soon as the transition period ends. Our Fisheries Bill prohibits any commercial fishing vessel from fishing in UK waters without a licence. It also provides powers to attach conditions (such as the areas that can be fished, species that can be caught and the type of fishing gear that can be used) to fishing vessel licences. Foreign vessels operating in UK waters will have to follow UK rules, including the conditions that are attached to their commercial fishing licence.

Foxes: Urban Areas

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is planning to take steps to manage the number of urban foxes in London and other urban areas.

Rebecca Pow: The Government’s general policy is that individuals should be free to manage wildlife within the law. The fox is not a protected species so the decision to control them lies with the owner or occupier of the property where the problem occurs. Where urban foxes cause problems professional pest controllers with relevant specialist skills are likely to be the most suited people for the task of removing foxes. Natural England, on Defra’s behalf, has a team dedicated to providing wildlife management advice to the public, both through online material and directly by telephone. The Government has no plans to control the number of urban foxes in England.

Women and Equalities

Period Poverty

Sarah Champion: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what progress the Government's period poverty taskforce has made in its objectives since (a) that taskforce was established and (b) the start of the Parliamentary session.

Sarah Champion: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps her Department is taking to continue the work of the Period Poverty Taskforce; and when future plans for that taskforce are planned to be announced.

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to (a) combat period poverty and (b) enable young people to help tackle that issue.

Kemi Badenoch: The Period Poverty Taskforce has begun a programme of work to tackle stigma and shame surrounding menstruation; established research priorities to improve the evidence surrounding period poverty and menstrual stigma in the UK and has begun to identify access barriers and the groups that are most affected by them. In addition to this, The Department for Education launched a new scheme which makes free period products available in state-funded primary schools, secondary schools and colleges in England, to ensure that menstruation does not present a barrier to young people’s learning.The work of the Taskforce was paused on 20 March 2020 in light of COVID-19 to allow the GEO secretariat to be redeployed to respond to the pandemic, and to ensure that we were not asking businesses to volunteer resources at this difficult time. Further announcements on the plans and the work of the Taskforce will be made in due course.

Prime Minister

Health Professions: Correspondence

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Prime Minister, how many personal letters he has written to bereaved families of NHS and care staff who have died from covid-19.

Boris Johnson: I am acutely aware of the grief, heartbreak and loss suffered by families across the country as a result of this global pandemic.I know first-hand the effect this terrible virus can have on someone and will always be thankful for the life saving care that I received at St Thomas’ hospital.I write to the families of all NHS and care staff who have died from covid-19 in order to offer my condolences and to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of their loved ones.In order to write, my office requires the relevant organisation to receive prior consent from the families that their personal information may be shared – which necessarily creates a slight time lag. I have so far sent 55 letters and will write to more families as soon as my office receives the relevant consents and information.